4/28-29 Tourmaline 14m

[Ralph Morrison]

Sorry to be yet another poster from Cali. but I had two great days here. The first day wasn't as windy and the waves weren't as big, but it was fun and easy. Yesterday the waves were big enough that I didn't feel comfortable taking chances. The wind was more onshore than sideshore. You had to keep the kite moving when riding a wave or it would stall because you're moving towards it. Concentrating on the kite and the wave and being scared at the same time was a handfull. There's a really good kiting scene here. Everybody was friendly and helpful and I never got any attitude. I was suprized by the lack of beach rules. I got downwind at one point and was getting close to the pier. I had no choice but to go in through some surfers. I was walking the kite up the beach and I saw the lifeguard get in his truck and drive towards me. I figured ut-oh, I'm in trouble now. He just drove right by me. After that I noticed other kiters walking their kites through groups of people or self-launching right next to people, no problem.